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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 1958)
L I 8KARY U OF 0 EUGENE. ORE. fteppeir Copies 10c Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, January 2, 1958 74th Year, Number 43 Economist Foresees "So-So" Year Ahead For Business, Industry BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL FORECAST FOR 1958 By Roger W. Babson Next to the Russian situation. President Eisenhower's condi ition will be of supreme importance. What its influence unon Rus sia will be, nobody knows. It business. I believe that for some maKing important policies and, much to his disappointment his recommendations have been largely ignored. The major effect of the president's condition will be oolitical. Those close to the ores- ident, for both friendship and ms recovery both in health and in memory. Others in charge of the Republican party, anxious about his possible incapacitation or death, would like to see him resign and drop out of the picture in order to give vice-president Nixon a good buildup in the hope of re-electing the Republican party again in 1960 tor evident reasons, the Demo crats are hoping that vice-presi (lent Nixon will not have an op portunity to function as president before the coming election. There fore, President Eisenhower's con dition could greatly influence the political situation during the next lew years. This would cause un certainty and retard large cor porate expansion programs as well as consumer buying. . I cannot believe that Russia wants World War III; in fact, I am confident that Russia will go to some lengths to avoid World War III. In case of any retalia tion by us, Russia would suffer great losses. Moreover, if Russia has any hope of conquering our country she certainly wishes to preserve our cities, industries, and other valuable assets. Rus sia has land enough now; it is our industries which Russia wants. This also applies to Eng land and Western Europe as well as the United States. Therefore my forecasts for 1958 are as fol lows; 1 The present cold war will be intensified during 1958. This will increase fear of war, which could greatly affect retail sales. 2 Russian policy will be aim ed at securing control of the United States, the countries of Western Europe, and the Middle East by infiltration. 3 The cold war costs the United State billions of dollars annually. This can be paid for only through increased taxes or inflation, or by the adoption of the Hoover Commission's recom mendations for radical economy. 4 Profits will be further squeezed during 1958, as a res ult of higher costs and pressure for lower pricest 5 Competition at all levels will increase 'during 1958. 6 Only more advertising by both manufacturers and retailers will enable them to keep up their present gross volume during 1958. 7 Failures will increase in 1958. These will apply mostly to small concerns, but some of the big companies in the Dow-Jones Averages may collapse. 8 Predicting a lower total volume of business for 1958, com pared with 1957, I forecast a moderately lower trend, on av erage, for wholesale commodity prices. Expect a gradual decrease in the cost of living during 1958. 9 Wise labor leaders will hes itate to fight for higher wages, but will try for shorter hours, pensions, and other "fringes." 10 European countries will have less to spend for American goods, and foreign trade will de cline in 1958 compared with 1957. MONEY OUTLOOK 11 Money will continue to be "tight" during 1958 for new borrowers who have not estab lished a satisfactory line of cred it. 12 Owing to declining de mands for funds, interest rates will decline in 1958. 13 Concerns with large num bers of employees will receive first consideration both by banks and by the government. 14 For fear of World War III, and due to declining business, many plans for expansion of plants will be postponed. 15 Money rates may be "fix ed" during 1958 by an economic dictator. 16 Lower money rates will make it easier to sell long term bonds during 1958. 17 The supply of non-taxable state municipal, turnpike and other "Authority" bonds will in crease during 1958. 18 I forecast higher prices for many corporation bonds. 19 investors will continue, during 1958, to switch from stocks to attractive bond issues; fear of war will rule all markets. 20 Bankers will fear that the government as a part of the cold warwill appoint a dictator to direct the policies of all national banks, the leading stock exchan ges, and investment dealers. LABOR OUTLOOK 21 There will be a general fear that the government as a part of the cold war will fix will probably not affect general time our president has not been political reasons, are hoping for ROGER W. BABSON wages in many industries and prevent further increases during 1958. 22 The revelations brought about by the investigation of the Teamsters Union may lead to im portant new labor legislation. 23 The Taft-Hartley law will not be repealed in 1958, and may he made more severe. Much, how ever will depend upon President Eisenhower s physical and men tal condition. 24 Congressional attempt will be made to eliminate the present exemption of labor unions from anti-monopoly laws. 25 1958 will be a sad year for labor leaders. 1 forecast that there will be an increase of un employment during 1958. 26 I forecast that with the possible exception of the auto industry there will be no national strikes during 1958. 27 I forecast that automation will slowly increase during 1958. 28 If wages should be fixed as part of the cold-war program, retail prices will also be fixed. 29 All workers, especially of fice workers will be more effic ient in 1958. It will be more dif ficult for the next group of col lege graduates to get good pos itions at high wages. 30 For the past few years labor has been sitting in the driv er's seat. Many industrialists and political leaders have feared that the country is headed for a soc ialist or labor government. A cheerful sign now is that such fears may, temporarily at least, be forgotten. The American work ing man is himself becoming dis-1 gusted with too powerful labor leaders. This should be good news to all honest employers. OUTLOOK FOR REAL ESTATE 31 Land adjoining cities and towns will increase in value dur ing 1958. This especially applies to small farms. 32 Large commercial farms will continue to prosper during 1958, but the small farmer will continue to suffer if dependent on farming. 33 Under an economic dic tator, farmers would receive no Increased price supports. If farm prices are fixed, they will be at lower levels. 34 Large cities may contin ue to lose in population. Large city real estate will sell for less, for fear of Russian missiles. 35 The growth of suburbs will continue, although many houses now occupied by well paid executives will be forced on the market as their owners lose their present high salaried po sitions. 36 Construction activity in many communities will decline. Older houses will come on the market. 37 In many sections of the country there will be a greater demand for co-operative modern apartments than for single hous es although old apartment hous es will sell for less. More young people and old people will insist upon modern . convenience and upon locations not absolutely de pendent on automobiles. 38 Well-located woodlands will continue to increase in price. This certainly applies to pine wood tracts, especially in the South. Continued on Fsge 6 County Livestock Growers Slate Annual Meeting Arrangements were completed this week for the annual meet ing of the Morrow County Live stock Growers association which will be held in Heppner on Fri day and Saturday, January 10 and 11. A program of interest to the general public as well as stock growers has been arranged, and a new feature, which is expected to attract much interest, is the inclusion of a "Bull Day" on the Friday program. Main speaker at the Saturday night banquet which will be held at the fair pavilion, will be Rob ert J. Steward, director of the state department of agriculture. Another Saturday feature will be a debate on "Do we want a beef commission?" which will be led by Ted Hyde, chairman of the beef commission committee and a Umatilla county feed lot op erator. A round table discussion will be held Friday on losses occuring from the new livestock diseases The new "Bull Day," instituted this year, is expected to draw much interest among stock raisers. Interested growers are invited to bring their bulls ti the new corrals at the fair grounds by 11 a. m. Friday and the after noon will be used for buying, selling or trading. The program committee has scheduled a social hour at 5 p.m. Saturday to be held at the Elks Temple and this will be followed by the annual banquet at 6:30 at the fair pavilion. o Panel on Juvenile Problems Slated For P-TA Meeting A panel discussion of juvenile problems will be a high point of Interest at the Heppner P-TA meeting Wednesday night, Jan. 9, it was announced this week. The group has been discussing the subject for six weeks and will give it report xo the P-TA nd its recommendations. The subjects include smoking, drinking, driv ing, activities, and allowances. Members of the panel will be: adults, William Labhart, mod erator, Vic Kreimeyer, Mrs. Cres- ton Robinson, Re. Lester Boulden, Mrs. William Labhart and Gordon Pratt. Student panel members the Ed Groshens, Bob Mahoney, Doug Gribble, Peggy Applegate and Susie McQuarrie. The first three students named attended a recent code conduct meeting in Salem Mill Closes Down, Logging Continues Heppner Pine Mills shut down Friday, December 20 for its an nual closure and will reopen on February 3, manager Paul Koe- nlg has announced. Logging operations will con tinue as long as weather con ditions permit, Koenig said, and normal maintenance will be done during the shutdown period. WEATHER The Heppner weather station reports: Hi Low Prec. Tuesday 46 37 Wednesday 54 43 Thursday 56 35 Friday 44 32 Saturday 49 39 Sunday 55 29 - Monday 42 25 Rainfall for the week .28; for December 2.28; for the year 17.85 inches. Important What happened in Morrow county during 1957? Here is a recap of the major events of the year, not in the order of their importance but in chronllogical order. Jack Angel installed chamber of comerce president. W. C. Collins sworn In as new mayor of Heppner. Temperature drops to 5 below Jan. 17 and more than foot of snow falls during the next week. Jan. 30 sees end of 18 day cold spell with 15 degree temper atures. Robert Abrams appointed Mor row county district attorney. Robert Ferrell assistant man ager of the Heppner branch of the First National Bank named manager of the Moro branch. lone Legion basketball team named host team for AAU play AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK SEES PRICES HOLDING ABOUT THE SAME FOR 1958 This is the time of the year when farmers and those persons depending on agriculture for a livelihood, thoughts' turn to the outlook and opportunities for the new year ahead, says N. C. Ander son, Morrow county agent. While many conditions in this changing world can alter the best plans on what lies ahead, much re search has gone into the studies affecting the outlook for 1958. Recently the National Agricult ural Outlook Conference was held at which time several USDA ana lysts summarized the agricultural outloik for 1958 this way: "As of now, our best judgment is that in 1958: (1) farmers will get about the same average prices as in 1957; (2) agricultural output will re main high, and could well set a new record, depending upon weather; .- (3) further increases in prod uction expenses may largely off set any rise in gross farm income, leaving farm operators' net rea lized income from farming about the same as in 1957. (4) with increasing income from non-farm sources, principal ly wages and salaries from off farm employment, and with de creasing numbers of persons on Many Students Home From Colleges For Christmas Holidays Many young people attending schools of higher education are In Heppner for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Included in the group are: Jim Hayes, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Hayes; Otto (Skip) Ruhl, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Ruhl; Meridlth Thomson, daughter of Mr, Mrs. James G. Thomson; Shirley and Dick Kononen, daughter and son of Mrs. Clarence Cox; Janet Wright, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wright; Jay Sumner, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Sumner; all from Oregon State College at Corvallls. From the University of Oregon at Eugene are Mary Jo and Alice Faye Stewart, daughters of Mr. and 'Mrs. Joe Stewart;- and Lace Tibbies, son of Dr. and Mrs. L. D. Tibbies. Bob Hare, brother of Mrs. Stan ley Holm, came from Michigan State, Lansing Mich. Robert Stephens of Hardman attends Oregon Technical Insti tute at Klamath Falls, From Northwest School of Com merce at Portland are Barbara Warren, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Warren; Vic Groshens, son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Groshens; Marilyn Pettyjohn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Pettyjohn. Bill Brinda, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. Brinda, and Jean Marie Graham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. ern Oregon College of Education Claude Graham, came from East at LaGrande. Lowell Turner, son of Mrs. Ernie Winchester, attends Willamette University at Salem. James Monahan, Son of Mr. and Mrs James Monahan, attends Portland University. Also here for the holidays are Miss Edith Morris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Morris, who is employed at the State Office Building in Salem; and Ronald Reid, son of Mrs. Ruth Reid, who is with the U. S. Army at Fort Ord, Calif. Most of the students will re turn to their schools on January 5th. Entering Oregon State Col lege at this time will be Fran ces Slocum and Maureen Groves Miss Groves has been ill and is now able to continue her studies. Mike Monahan will enter Port land University, having attend ed EOC. Happenings of 1957 offs at Hermiston. PP&L starts modernization of power service in area. Korean orphan boy comes to live at the Clem Stockard home. Miss Joann Brosnan named winner of UN Pilgrimage. 4.08 Inches of rain during March breaks all time rainfall record for any one month. William L. Labhart installed exalted ruler of the Heppner Elks lodge. First tornado In 70 years does little damage but drops huge hail stones. Christine Swaggart named the 1957 fair and rodeo queen. Dr. A. D. McMurdo named Ore gon's first doctor of the year and Heppner celebration held in his honor. Flash flood first since 1943, but main damage Is to fields. farms this could mean a slight gain in per capita income of farm people; (5) the parity Index (prices paid by farmers) is likely to creep up further resulting in a further slight drop in the parity ratio; (6) retail food prices may rise further, because of Increases in marketing charges. (7) exports of agricultural pro ducts will continue high, but will probably be less than In the fis cal year ending June 30, 1957; (8) year-end stocks of wheat and cotton may again be reduced, but the carryover of feed grains will increase still further; (9) Government payments for price support, for the Soil Bank, and for export programs will continue to be large, but the acre age reserve program will be re duced; (10) farm debt will probably continue to rise, but the value of farm assets will increase, too; (11) land values will probably rise somewhat, and levels, of liv ing of farm families will prob ably continue to improve, due in part to increased income from non-farm sources; (12) food consumption and diets of U. S. families will re main at a relatively high level. By commodities, they saw these prospects: Prices of cattle are likely to average as high or higher in 1957. Hog prices will lokely hold near 1957 levels during the first half of 1958, but lower during the second half as production is expected to increase above 1957. Prices of sheep and lambs may be about the same next year as in 1957. A slight increase in milk pro duction is expected in 1958, and prices are expected to remain near present levels. Cash receipts from dairy products in 1958 are likely to rise further to a new high. Egg prices to farmers probably will be higher in 1958 than the estimated 1957 average of 35 cents a dozen; production will reflect Continued on Page 6 - Farm "tureau Slates Membership Drive The Morrow County Farm Bur eau will hold Its annual mem mership drive during January it was announced this week, and the captains of the teams will start with a trip to Bend on Jan uary 6. An organization meeting will be held at the Harold Beach home a kickoff breakfast will be held at Lexington on January 8 and on January 13. The drive will end January 15 with a meeting at the Gene Cutsforth home. First 1958 Baby To Get Many Gifts The first baby born in, or on its way to Pioneer Memorial hospitol after the start of the new year will receive a big group of gifts offered by Heppner mer chants. The complete list of gifts will be found In today's paper. The annual event is sponsored by Heppner businesses and will offer a wide variety of prizes for both the baby and the parents, o DIES SUDDENLY Olin Applegate of Hood River died suddenly Sunday night in Portland where he had been taken for observation. Informa tion on his death is lacking, and funeral arrangements have not teen completed. Mf. Applegate was married to Rosanna Farley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James J. Farley, Sr. of Heppner. Burton Peck of Lexington is chosen Conservation Man of the year. County pioneer Mat Halvorsen taken by death. Oiling of Willow creek road scheduled. Memorial plaque1 presented at Memorial day picnic. Bonneville transmission tow ers blown down near Boardman in strong winds. Bank of Eastern Oregon an nounces plans for establishment of branch in Heppner to open in September. Wilkinson ranching operations win 1957 Grassman award. Kenneth Smouse named to Ore gon Wheat Commission. Forest Service men report un identified "Flying Hat." . Hardman post office closed. Hay worth $25,000 goes up In Garnet Barraft Resigns County Judge's Post Garnet Barratt, Morrow county judge for the past nine years, late last wek submitted his res ignation in a letter to Governor Robert D. Holmes and askel that JUDGE GARNET BARRATT Death Claims Frank W. Baker Funeral services for Frank W. Baker who died at his home in Kennewick, Wn., Dec. 23 were held at All Saints Episcopal church December 2888 with the Rev. George- R. S. Little, rector, and the Rev. Charles W. May, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church in Kennewick officiating. Interment was in the Heppner Masonic cemetery. Frank Walton Baker was born Feb. 2, 1907 at Sunnyside, Wn. He attended school in Washing ton and In the Willamette Val ley and in 1955 received his dip loma at Columbia Basin college at Pasco. After working for a number of years in the Portland area and Stockton, (Mif., h come to Heppner in 1949 where he worked as a plumber and later plumbing foreman at Pio neer Memorial hospital. On June 23, 1950 he was mar ried to Josephine Mahoney in Heppner and in 1951 he opened his own business, the Baker Plumbing and Heating Co. In 1953 he closed his business here and went to Kennewick where he worked in the atomic area. He was later transfered to Camp Hanford where he was employed as a steam fitter for the Army Engineers. He was joined in Kennewick by his wife in 1954 who fin ished her news work for the East Oregonian, Walla Walla Union Bulletin and the two Portland papers. She was also formerly Heppner librarian. Mr. Baker was a member of the Episcopal church where he served as vestryman both here and in Kennewick; a member of Tuality lodge AF & AM, Hills boro; Heppner Elks lodge; and Ruth chapter OES, Heppner. He was a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters union at Pasco. He leaves his wife Josephine of Kennewick; his father Walter G. Baker, Salem; his mother of Port land; one son Frank Allan Baker, Beaverton; two daughters, Mrs. Shirdey Hill, Vancouver, Wash, and Mrs. Jeanne Stalgler, Port land;, a brother Ray Baker of Klamath Falls, eight grand-, children and several aunts, and uncles and nephews. Creswick Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. Shown in smoke on the Harold Wright ranch. Damage heavy in fire at Wil liam H. Padberg ranch near Lex ington. 60 bushel wheat harvested in lone area. Range and wheat fifes plague area. "Uncle Will" Hynd taken by death and his twin sister Mrs. T. H. Lowe dies one week lated. Wheat crop averages 36 bu shels in the county. Fair and rodeo opens. Morrow County Grain Growers buy 420,000 bushel Archer Dan iels elevator at lone. John Graves chosen 1957 county Cattleman of the year. New Hope Lutheran church Is dedicated. Recently named Grassman Frank Wilkinson taken by death. 1- "VI PI a successor be appointed in the near future. His term has three years to run. Judge Barratt stated that health reasons made the move necessary. Judge Barratt has served Mor row county in his present pos ition since January 3, 1949, hav ing been elected in the fall of 19-18. He was reelected in 1954 and has completed three years of his present term. He had also served a short term as county commissioner, having been ap pointed to fill the unexpired term of C. W. McNamer in May 1944, serving until the end of 1946. Judge Barratt said in his let ter to Governor Holmes that, "It is with extreme regret that I herewith submit for your con sideration my request for release from the official duties as coun ty judge of Morrow county, Ore gon, effective the date my suc cessor has qualified by taking the oath of office. "In taking this action, I do so only after much deliberation and resistance from my co-workers and citizens of Morrow county. It is due entirely to health dis turbances of both my wife and myself, which upon the advice of our medical doctors necess itate a warmer climate during the winter months. The past two years I have been granted a leave of absence, in addition to an annual vacation, during the winter months to alleviate this condition. I am most appreciative to the people of Morrow county for their wholehearted coopera tive consideration during this time. Howeves, I sincerely be lieve the time has now arrived that It Is in the best interests of ourselves and the citizens of Morrow county that I retire from the responsibilities of office." Pledges Support Judge Barratt's letter contin ued. " In laying aside the duties of office I make no recommen dations as to a successor having confidence that your selection will be with the recommenda--tions of the County Central Com mittees and trusting it will be one who will also be willing to serve and assume the respon sibilities of the office with the best interests of all the county at heart. I pledge my future support to anyone willing to ac cept the appointment on that basis." The governor's appointment to fill the position, which would be for the unexpired tehm, can come from either political party, inasmuch as Barratt received the nominations of both parties and was elected without opposition. Had he been elected only by one party, the law requires that the person appointed be from the same party. There was no indication when the appointment will be made by the governor, but judge Bar ratt stated Monday that he hop ed it would be made immediat ely as he and Mrs. Barratt hope to leave late this week for Phoe nix, Arizona. Judge Barratt has served on many boards and committees during his years In public of fice. He was president of the As sociation of Oregon Counties in 1954; was a member of the Upper Columbia River Basin commis sion for four years, the entire life of the group; he served for four years on the Heppner school board during the 1930's; was a member of the Oregon Senate for the special session in 1935; and served for 15 years as a dir ector of the Northwest Livestock Production Credit association of Portland. Review 2.05 inches of rain In one day sets another weather record for the year. Mrs. Ellen Rieth of lone cele brates 101st birthday. H. O. Ely of lone claimed by death. Bids called for rebuilding and paving of Heppner-Spray high way. Planning conference starts study of city-county problems. Flu causes shutdown of all Heppner schools. County's 1957 farm income said highest in many years. A Heppner nurse, Miss Wyma Hoxworth badly burned in apart ment fire. 71 degree temperature highest ever recorded here in December. Former county sherriff George McDuffee dies in Portland. Bank of Eastern Oregon moves Into new building.
